Frank Archer

In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.

Frank Archer’s life was devoted to service to others. Although his life had its share of hardships, Frank was never defeated by what had been and always looked to what might be. A hardworking man dedicated to his family and his fellow man, Frank Archer established a high standard for the rest of us to follow.

The 1920's were a prosperous time for Americans, with human ingenuity and spirit moving the country forward with great momentum. This was the decade when U.S. citizens would witness Charles Lindbergh make the first transatlantic flight and women earn the right to vote. For one family in particular, the world changed and history was made on March 22, 1925. It was on that blustery day in East Jordan, Michigan, located in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, that William and Iva Archer welcomed a precious baby boy they named Frank Seldon.

Frank grew up surrounded by a myriad of brothers and sisters and was never lacking for someone to play with. The family home on 105 E. Bone Street was full of the sounds and activities of a busy family. Frank attended elementary, middle and high school in East Jordan. However, when he contracted tuberculosis in his senior year, he was forced to drop out and was quite ill for the next ten months. Hard worker that he was, Frank later earned his GED in Grand Rapids in 1975.

To say that Frank was a hard worker was an understatement. At the age of 12, he managed to buy his first car, a Model T. A year later he was able to purchase a Model A Ford, which he rebuilt from top to bottom. By the time he was 15, Frank had a job working in a printing shop, later working at a bowling alley and then at Gracie’s Pie Shop. But something even better came into Frank’s life when he was 15 – a beautiful girl named Edith Sadler. They happened to meet while attending a free show at Central Lake, and with the help of his newly rebuilt Model A, Frank picked her up from her job in Bellaire later that night.

Fifteen is a young age to make a life commitment, and by the time he was 19, Frank was still single. He drove to Detroit hoping to find a good job and was fortunate to find one at Carbolide. The unfortunate part was, after three months, they laid him off. Frank came back to Grand Rapids, but after a disagreement with Edith, headed back to Detroit. He called his next job “working in a sweatshop” where he worked on saw blades. Knowing this was not what he wanted to do with his life, Frank lasted just one day and then headed for the unemployment office. There had to be something better than what he was doing. And what he found was a job on the South American Cruise Ship as a night steward and cook. The summer of 1945 was spent sailing on the Great Lakes and when fall approached, he transferred to the freighter Pensoscope.

By this time, he and Edith had worked out any disagreements and were ready to get married. They said their vows in October of 1945 and with a new bride to support, Frank again found himself looking for work. Back he went to the freighter, sailing from November 1945 until January of 1946, working as a porter and cook.

Life on the freighter often started in Chicago where they would pick up a load of grain. However, on one fateful trip, the ship ran aground near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Special equipment had to be called in to unload the grain and then the empty ship sailed to Twin City, north of Milwaukee. To keep the damaged ship from sinking, they had to run it aground again. The hole was finally fixed with plywood and concrete, the grain was reloaded and delivered to Erie, Pennsylvania. Frank then hopped a train back to Grand Rapids, rejoined Edith, and the two moved to East Jordan where Frank began working on the railroad. Moving back to Grand Rapids one more time, Frank and Edith applied for jobs at Doehler Jarvis and both were hired. Finally together, they settled into an apartment on Pleasant Street.

Things were definitely looking up when Frank and Edith welcomed their first child, Dan who was born in 1949. They purchased a home at 1023 Aberdeen NE, which remained the family home until Edith’s death in 2005.

Frank and Edith were blessed with four more children – Bill, Pam, Cozette and Renee. With a growing family, it soon became obvious that the house would have to be remodeled to accommodate everyone. This was done in 1957. The house was situated right across the street from the Aberdeen Reformed Church and the family became active members. Frank and Edith also volunteered at the church.

As time went on, the family purchased two cottages on Little Manistee Lake in northern Michigan. Many great family memories were made at these cottages and they always held a special place in Frank’s heart.

In 1975, Frank was forced to make yet another career change when he lost his job at Doehler Jarvis. But with his strong work ethic and determination, he was able to get a job with Plainfield Lumber building trusses. In 1977 he made still another change when he started selling AFLAC Insurance and mutual funds for Inner Securities and Mariner Financial. Frank continued with sales until his retirement in 2005.

In spite of all the changes in work, Frank always found time to share his time and talents with others. Both he and Edith were active volunteers, and their hearts led them to help found an organization called “We Do Care”, which helps families of children with cancer. A worthwhile endeavor when it was started, this organization continues Frank's and Edith’s dream of helping others. His community also benefited from Frank’s gift of time through his involvement in the Grand Rapids North Kiwanis, Northview Schools and the Ronald McDonald House.

With Edith’s passing in 2005, Frank began to spend more time at his cottage on Little Manistee Lake. One day while enjoying a meal at the Meal Center, he met a lovely lady by the name of Jean Fenton. The two began to talk and their friendship soon turned to romance. Frank and Jean were married in 2008. With the addition of Jean’s family, Frank was now a step-father and he welcomed Jean’s children with open arms. Jean and Frank continued to live up north. However, Frank had been suffering from complications of lung conditions and they began to get worse. Sadly, Frank died on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

A man who gave his time, his energy and his heart to others, Frank Archer will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who loved him.

Frank Seldon Archer, aged 83, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, is now in our Lord's waiting arms. His first wife, Edith Archer, preceded Frank in death in 2005. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Jean, his children: Dan (Jackie) Archer, Bill (Mary) Archer, Pam Archer, Cozette (Jerry) Groot, Renee (Mike) Wade, 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Frank also had several step children: Kerry (Dick) Cook, Martha Fenton, Karolynn (Ron) Shoenfeld, Robin Jahnke, Bill (Lori) Fenton, Kathy (Jim) Sodt, Dan (Josephine) Fenton, Andy Fenton, Kim (Randy) Gercyz, 13 step grandchildren and one step great grandchild, his brothers: Lavern Archer, Bill Archer, Robert Archer, Marvin (Maurleen) Archer, his three sisters: Marge Gifford, Virginia (Art) Biehl, Margaret Drost, two brother in-laws Everett Leist, Walt Leist, his sister in-law Merna Gillespie and nieces and nephews. Family visitation will be held Saturday from 11 to 12 at the Cornerstone Bible Church, Mancelona, MI with visitation to follow until 2 P.M. when a funeral service will be held. Further visitation will be held Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 A.M. at the Aberdeen Reformed Church, 1000 Aberdeen N .E. Grand Rapids. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery of Grand Rapids. Please visit Frank’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or sign the online register book. For those who wish, memorial contributions to “We Do Care” would be appreciated.